Riccardo Muti Conducts Italian Masterworks

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of nineteenth-century Italian opera with Riccardo Muti Conducts Italian Masterworks. This captivating live album, released on December 7, 2018, under the CSO Resound label, showcases the virtuosity and passion of Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The album spans a comprehensive 1 hour and 8 minutes, featuring a meticulously curated selection of overtures, choruses, and intermezzos from the masterworks of Verdi, Puccini, Mascagni, and Boito.

The album opens with the powerful "Nabucco: Overture," setting the stage for a journey through some of the most iconic pieces in Italian opera. Highlights include the stirring "Patria oppressa!" from Verdi's "Macbeth," the lyrical "Intermezzo" from Puccini's "Manon Lescaut," and the dramatic "Intermezzo" from Mascagni's "Cavalleria rusticana." The album also features selections from Boito's "Mefistofele," including the haunting "Prelude - Ave, Signor degli angeli e dei santi" and the choral masterpiece "Ave, Signor."

Riccardo Muti's conducting brings out the full depth and intensity of these works, making this album a standout in the classical and opera genres. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, Riccardo Muti Conducts Italian Masterworks offers a compelling introduction to the timeless beauty and drama of Italian opera.